Bottom Line:
Our results show that a higher level of serum TBili is associated with odds of having a lower incidence of DM.This finding supports the hypothesis that the antioxidant nature of TBili, demonstrating a protective effect with regard to the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and vasculitis in prior research, also extends to DM risk.There is no doubt that the beneficial effect of TBili is multifactorial; thus further investigation is warranted.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a rampantly growing epidemic in the United States, affecting nearly 10% of the adult population. Studies have shown that higher levels of Total Bilirubin (TBili) convey a protective effect with regard to cardiovascular risk. In this study, we will examine the relationship between TBili level and prevalence of DM to discern whether a similar relationship exists.

Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a comprehensive survey performed regularly to evaluate the overall health and nutrition status of the United States population. For the purpose of this study, we combined NHANES data collected between 1999 and 2006. Totally 15,876 eligible participants were selected after excluding all patients younger than twenty years, those with a history of abnormal liver function tests, or those who disclosed a history of liver disease. The data collected on these individuals was adjusted for demographic characteristics, as well as risk factors for DM, and was analyzed via multivariate logistic regression, using SAS proc survey methodology.

Conclusions: Our results show that a higher level of serum TBili is associated with odds of having a lower incidence of DM. This finding supports the hypothesis that the antioxidant nature of TBili, demonstrating a protective effect with regard to the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and vasculitis in prior research, also extends to DM risk. Furthermore, research has shown that higher levels of TBili increase glucose mobilization into the cells, leading to more efficient, biologic glucose utilization. There is no doubt that the beneficial effect of TBili is multifactorial; thus further investigation is warranted.

Mentions:
The demographic variables of the two groups were compared by age adjusted prevalence (Table 1). A greater proportion of men were found to have a serum TBili level above 10 micromol/L. For individuals who had Diabetes Mellitus, 70.45% (SE = 0.86) had a TBili level of 10 micromol/L. Furthermore, a statistically-significant, unadjusted association between higher TBili level and Diabetes did exist (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64 - 0.88). The relationship remained significant, after adjusting for age, sex, race, married status, education, BMI and smoking (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.95) (Fig. 2 and 3).

Mentions:
The demographic variables of the two groups were compared by age adjusted prevalence (Table 1). A greater proportion of men were found to have a serum TBili level above 10 micromol/L. For individuals who had Diabetes Mellitus, 70.45% (SE = 0.86) had a TBili level of 10 micromol/L. Furthermore, a statistically-significant, unadjusted association between higher TBili level and Diabetes did exist (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64 - 0.88). The relationship remained significant, after adjusting for age, sex, race, married status, education, BMI and smoking (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.95) (Fig. 2 and 3).

Bottom Line:
Our results show that a higher level of serum TBili is associated with odds of having a lower incidence of DM.This finding supports the hypothesis that the antioxidant nature of TBili, demonstrating a protective effect with regard to the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and vasculitis in prior research, also extends to DM risk.There is no doubt that the beneficial effect of TBili is multifactorial; thus further investigation is warranted.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a rampantly growing epidemic in the United States, affecting nearly 10% of the adult population. Studies have shown that higher levels of Total Bilirubin (TBili) convey a protective effect with regard to cardiovascular risk. In this study, we will examine the relationship between TBili level and prevalence of DM to discern whether a similar relationship exists.

Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a comprehensive survey performed regularly to evaluate the overall health and nutrition status of the United States population. For the purpose of this study, we combined NHANES data collected between 1999 and 2006. Totally 15,876 eligible participants were selected after excluding all patients younger than twenty years, those with a history of abnormal liver function tests, or those who disclosed a history of liver disease. The data collected on these individuals was adjusted for demographic characteristics, as well as risk factors for DM, and was analyzed via multivariate logistic regression, using SAS proc survey methodology.

Conclusions: Our results show that a higher level of serum TBili is associated with odds of having a lower incidence of DM. This finding supports the hypothesis that the antioxidant nature of TBili, demonstrating a protective effect with regard to the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and vasculitis in prior research, also extends to DM risk. Furthermore, research has shown that higher levels of TBili increase glucose mobilization into the cells, leading to more efficient, biologic glucose utilization. There is no doubt that the beneficial effect of TBili is multifactorial; thus further investigation is warranted.